I am a Stampin' Up! Demonstrator in Northern Virginia. I love Rubber Stamping, Scrapbooking and 3-d Paper Crafting. I also love Cooking, Gardening, Travel, Photography and Occasionally Organizing.
On this BLOG you'll see a bit of it all because it is all a part of my life. I hope you'll visit often. email: stampinruth@aol.com
fb: https://www.facebook.com/stampwithruth/

May 2010

29 May 2010

I just wanted to share a couple of ideas I've had for the Simply Adorned Charm Inserts. I recently sent out a REGISTRATION sheet for the upcoming Charm Insert Classes that I'm offering. The deadline to order your charms (great gift idea for any woman on your gift giving list!) is June 19th. Don't delay, order yours today :-)

Are you one of my current customers or a potential customer? Leave a comment after you read this and you'll be entered into a drawing for a special prize :-)

A lovely gift to make and keep for yourself or give as a gift

that will be cherished and worn year round!

Simply Adorned Charms

Purchase the charms and the class is free

Long distance?Purchase the charms and receive the class inserts for free - you just pay the shipping - see details at the bottom of this post.

I took a bracelet charm that I had won on the recent SU! cruise and decided to open it. It's so dainty but I thought it might work for a necklace for me. I took the Ronald McDonald set "Very Thankful" and stamped the 4 images in chocolate chip onto Tempting Turquoise (my outfit colors today) and then cut one of the images out with the 1/2" circle punch (took me 1/2 hour to find it...need to clean my stamp room). I decided it needed bling so I took some ipod rhinestones (I know...we don't sell them). BUT...it looks fabulous and the clasp closes well enough that it's not going to pop open. Here's what it looks like. The rhinestone is turquoise. I thought with the size of the charm that the SU! silver chain from prior SU! events would look nice. I like the look. I think it would be perfect for little girls that might not wear a charm bracelet yet. (See below of other ideas of the 34" chain)

NOW for the 3 in 1 chain -

For myself, I thought I just liked the 24" chain for most of my outfits. I bought both so that I could show my customers both. Well, I ended up loving the 34" chain as it's much more versatile for me. I'll show you why. I still love the 24" chain also, as it goes with everything but the 34" chain is a 3 in 1.

This is how the 34" looks on me without any modifications. It's a bit long for most of the outfits I wear. This outfit can carry it though.

Then I had an idea to double it around my neck, which was great. It gave a cool look because the part of the chain where the charm is attached hangs lower (of course).

Then if I don't want that particular look, I just hook the charm around both strands of chain and it doesn't slip.

*Each Charm purchase includes: One (1) creative charm insert – my gift to you, and a coupon to attend a FREE class where you will create five (5) FREE charm inserts, using your own creativity or my templates, to make your charms uniquely yours.

Note: Prices shown do not include shipping and handling or sales tax.

Order your charm(s) and Prepay by June 19th for the Charm Insert Classes being held on your choice of dates:

20 May 2010

Someone emailed me recently asking if I could find this recipe previously posted when Mike was doing his 'Monday's with Mike' segment....which did not last long. So sad.

Well, I just found it...here you go Julie. I agree, this was a delicious meal and I'll have to ask him to make it again.

-----------------------

Yummy in my tummy. This was a most excellent meal. If you don't count calories or fat, try this fantastic dish. I won't be able to eat for another 2 days....will have to live off water.

Grilled Catfish on Buttered Sourdough with Scallion Mayonnaise

start to finish - 35 min

1/3 cup mayonnaise

1/2 cup chopped green onions

2 tsp finely shredded lemon peel

3 Tbsp fresh lemon juice

2 tsp snipped fresh mint or basil

4 6-8 ounce farm-raised catfish fillets

1 Tbsp olive oil

2 tsp spicy barbecue rub

4 1-inch-thick slices good-quality sourdough bread

4 tsp butter, softened

2 cups arugula leaves

1 lemon, cut into thin slices

1. Stir together the mayo, green onions, lemon peel, lemon juice, and mint in a small bowl; set aside

2. Rinse fish and pat dry with paper towels. Place on a baking sheet. Drizzle with oil and sprinkle with the barbecue rub; rub in with fingers. Set aside.

3. Pre-heat gas grill and reduce heat to medium heat. Place bread slices on grill rack. Cover and grill for 1-2 minutes per slice or until lightly browned. Spread butter on one side of each slice. Place a slice on each of four serving plates.

4. Place the fish on the rack of an uncovered grill over medium heat. Cover and grill for 4-5 minutes per side or until fish flakes easily when tested with a fork. Transfer cooked fish to a clean baking sheet.

5. To serve, lightly spread some of the mayonnaise mixture on each slice of grilled bread. Arrange 1/2 cup arugula on each piece. Top each serving with a fish and then dollop remaining mayonnaise mixture over fish. Serve immediately with a slice of lemon.

11 May 2010

My sister Linda and I had so much fun on the Stampin' Up! cruise and I took tons of pictures. I plan to share our trip with you but still trying to get organized...lol. Until I get that all together, here are some samples of cards they had for us in the hospitality room on the ship. These are samples that demonstrators brought to share and Stampin' Up! posted them all on boards for us to take pictures of. Just samples here. If you have questions about any of them, just email me. Enjoy

okay..just a little info on this one. It uses the Top Note die and the Big Shot. How creative and just in time for Graduation. Just change the card stock colors to the school colors for your favorite graduate.

08 May 2010

Stampin' Up! just announced that the demand for the retiring colors has been greater than anticipated. Therefore, they may run out sooner than expected.

So, if you have ink pads in these colors, now is the time to get a refill for them. If you are low on the coordinating cardstock, now is the time to order more. Any accessory that has a retiring color in it will retire, i.e. Designer Series Papers, Buttons, Brads, etc. Don't wait until the last minute or they may be sold out already.

While I'm sad to see some of these colors retiring, I'm VERY EXCITED about the color changes being made. Some old in-colors are coming back permanently and we'll have 5 new 'core' colors starting in July.

Lots of changes are coming but I wanted to let you know right away about the new retiring color news.

04 May 2010

May is National Scrapbooking Month! Stampin' Up! has tons of great products to help you preserve your memories whether traditionally with paper, digitally, or using a combination of the two!

To help you explore the possibilities, during the month of May, Stampin' Up! is offering a FREE package of Designer Brads (your choice of 4 designs) when you purchase one of our Stamp Sets that is perfect for scrapbooking or by purchasing our awesome "My Digital Studio" software.

The qualifying Stamp Sets are:

- Extreme Elements, page 81, $26.95

- Framed with Love, page 119, $27.95, this Set will retire on June 30!

- Certified, page 128, $27.95, this Set will retire on June 30!

- Circle Circus, page 129, $28.95

- Elements of Style, pages 12 and 13 of Summer Mini, Clear - $19.95, Wood - $27.95, also available in French and Spanish versions

2. Order online through my website at www.stampwithruth.stampinup.net - click on the 'shop now' option - Remember, ONLY when you order online you are eligible to order from the "CLEARANCE RACK.' Also, if you are doing an online order, Free Designer brads will not automatically be added to orders. Because there are four free items to choose from, you will need to order the qualifying item first and then add the free item.